Open AccessA Hiatus in the Cutting of Buddhist Caves in the Western Deccan
Author(s) -
Gethin Rees
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
ancient asia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.17
H-Index - 2
ISSN - 2042-5937
DOI - 10.5334/aa.10209
Subject(s) - hiatus , buddhism , cave , context (archaeology) , politics , period (music) , history , archaeology , ancient history , geology , art , aesthetics , paleontology , political science , law
This article places the expansion of Buddhist monasteries in theWestern Deccan in its wider context, examining how social, political and economic forcesmight have impacted on the tempo of Buddhist cave cutting. A framework for dating thecaves is outlined and a hiatus in their construction during the first century AD noted.Epigraphic evidence is then used to link this hiatus to the conflict between the WesternKsatrapas and the Satavahanas that also occurred during the period of study.Inscriptions often mention the social groups, which donated to monasteries, and thearticle evaluates how the conflict would have affected their ability to donate. Finally,a case study of the cave complex at Pandu Lena, Nasik is used to illustrate the natureof interaction between Buddhism and society